Motor lawn-mower.



W. H. GOLDWELL.

MOTOR LAWN MoWBR.

APPLIOATION FILED PEBL 14, 1911.

' Patented Dec.31, 1912.

. Allomqj W. H. COLDWELL.

MOTOR LAWN MOWBR.

v APPLICATION FILED PEB. 14, 19711. 1,048,498. i

Patented Dec.31, 1912.

W. H. GOLDWBLL. MOTOR LAWN MOWER.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 14, 1911.

1,048,498, Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INI/ENTO/e W. H. COLDWELL.

MOTOR LAWN MOWER.

APPLICATION FILED 11:13.14, 1911.

Patented Dec.31, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

n M my T m M y m N h f moaw'. @um By.

WIT/VES 7/655( WILLIAM H. COLDWELL, F NEWBURGH, NEW YORK.

MOTOR LAWN-MOWEB.

Speclcatlon of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

Application led February 14, 1911. Serial No. 608,547.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CoLpwELL, citizen of the United States,residlng at Newburgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor Lawn-Mowers;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which 1t appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described,reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate anembodiment of the invention which I have selected for purposes ofillustration and the invention 1s fully disclosed in the followingdescription and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a right sideelevation of a motor lawn mower embodying my invention with the coverplate for the gear casing removed. Fig. 2 is a left side elevation ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the machine. Fig. 4 is atransverse sectional view of the machine through the grass collectingbox taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the grassbox taken on a line 5--5 of Fig. 4 extending longitudinally of themachine. Fig. 6 is a detail view partly in section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1of the gasolene supply tank and the portions of the handle structureadjacent thereto. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a portion of the handlestructure. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is anenlarged view of the gear casing of the main frame with the closingplate removed.

The object of my invention is to provide a grass receptacle for lawnmowers and means in connection therewith for expelling the accumulatedcut grass at intervals, and to provide means whereby the grassreceptacle can be readily connected to and disconnected from the mower,and to provide means,`where the grass receptacle is used in connectionwith a motor lawn mower, whereby the expellin or discharging mechanismcan be operated by the motor thereof.

The embodiment of my invention which I have selected to illustrate myinvention and which is shown and described herein is a motor lawn mowerof my own invention and the features of said machine not herein claimedare reserved by me, and will form the subject matter of anotherapplication for patent.

In the drawings which show an embodiment of the invention selected by mef or purposes of illustration, 1 represents a combined traction and lawnrolling roller, which may be made in one section but which is preferablymade in two sections, to facilitate turning the machine, said rollerbeing adapted to sustain practically r the entire weight of the machineincluding the frame carrying the cutting mechanism, as hereinafter setforth.

Upon the axle 2 of the roller 1 is mounted the main or motor carryingframe, comprising the side plates 3, 4; each having forward horizontalextensions or bars 3, 4 and rearward upwardly curved extensions or bars3b, 4b, the said side frames heilig connected by suitable transversebars as 5, 6 and 7 to form a strong and rigid frame. The bars J and 6are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The side plates 3 and 4 areprovided with suitable bearings which engage the main shaft or axle 2 ofthe roller 1, and the roller sections (of which there may be any desirednumber) are mounted on said axle, and connected thereto by means of thewell known differential gearing, or the equally well known pawl andratchet wheel mechanism by means of which one section may be rotated atgreater speed than another' or the other, in turning the machine.

Upon the main frame is mounted a suitable motor, and I prefer to providean internal combustion engine 8. having a radiator 1() and fan 11connected with the water jacketed portions of the engine in the usualmanner. The side plate 3 is preferably provided with a marginal flangeforming a gear casing to contain the driving connections for the rollerwhich casing is closed by a cover plate (not shown) secured in positionby suitable screws or bolts so that the case may be filled with greaseor oil to insure proper lubrication of the gearing.

12 is the engine shaft which extends into the gear ease and is providedwith a worm 13 meshing with a worm wheel 14, loosely mounted on avertical shaft 15, mounted in hearings in the gear casing and providedwith oppositely disposed bevel pinions 17 and 18 loosely mounted to theshaft, and

' lieve the mechanism from undue shock when the roller is connected withthe motor, prefer to interpose a friction device between the worm wheel14 and the shaft 15. In this` instance the wcrm wheel '14 is providedwith a female friction clutch member 20, secured thereto and providedwith an internal conical friction surface engaged by a conical maleclutch member 2l, secured to the shaft by a key or spline and movablelongitudinally thereof, the two friction membersl being normally held inengagement b v a spring 22. Then the lnotor is thrown into gear with theroller, this friction clutch permits a. slightr slip if necessary instarting the roller, and as soon as the roller has acqilired the desiredamount of motion imparted b v the gearing the clutch will hold and theroller will be continuously driven until the motor is disconnected.

23 represents a shifting lever pivoted to the side plate 3, and havingone end in operative engagement with the double clutch 16, the other endbeing provided with two curved arms 24, 24 each'having near itsextremity ay stop lug 25.

26 represents an eccentric mounted on a rock shaft 2Ga journaled in theside plate 3 and located between the arms 24, 24 and said eccentric isalso provided with arms or projections 27, 27 each of which carries anadjustable step, in the form of a set screw 2S, adapted to engage thestops 25 and arrestthe eccentric when the double clutch has been movedinto firm engagement with the clutch member of either of said pinions17, 18. lVhen the eccentric is moved in one direction the arms 24, 24are depressed and the double clutch is raised so as to bring its upperclutch member into engagementwith the clutch member o the pinion 17,which Will cause the roller 1 to be driven in one directie-n. By movingthe eccentric in the ref verse direct-ion the arms 24, 24 are raised,thus depressing the double clutch 16 and engaging its lower clutchmember with the clutch member on pinion 18, which will cause the roller1 to be, driven in the opposite direction. Vhcn the eccentric is in itsmedian position, the shaft 15 and the double clutch rot-ate withoutdriving the roller 1. The rock shaft 26n is provided with an operatingarm 29 connected by a link 30, with a pivoted hand lever 31, mountedupon the rear end of the rearward extension 3b of the main frame,adjacent to a ring or segment 32, provided with three locking notches34. The lever 31 is provided with a pawl 33 for engaging said notches,and

'amderstood sired.

ln ln'actce .l prefer to provide thel rear end ot' the rearwaialextensions 3" with a ring shaped part toi-ming thc locking segment, andto secure thereto a circular casting 3c which is-bolted thereto andprovided with a. recessed portion in which the hand lever is pivotcd asshown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The inner face of the casting 3c is providedwith a recessed port1on to receive one end el" a gasolene tank 9 (sec.Fig. G) and the periphery of the casting 3c is providedwith an annular'Ilange Sd. Tl extension 4" similarly formed with a cilcular portion G2provided on its upper portion with locking notches 64 to form a lockingsegment, and a similar casting 4c provided with an exterior tlange 4,and a recess to receive the other end of the gasolene tank t), is boltedto the part (32.

40, 40 represent handles cach having a curved portion 41 extending morethan half way around and loosely cl'igaging one ofv the castings 3, 4cand forming thus pivotal connections for said handles. The handles arerigidly connected by a cross rod 42, and diagonal braces 43, which holdthe parts 41 in engagement w' h the flanges 3*. 4 ofsaid castings andp1'A nt lateral n'mvement of the handles. The handles are maintainedadjustably in the desired position by links 44, connected thereto and tothe extensions 3", 4, said links being cach made in two parts theadjacent ends` heilig reversely threaded and connected by a reversclythreaded sleeve 45. By adjusting the sleeves 45 the handles 4() can be.raised or lowered to suit ditferentoperators, as will be readily Thetank fl is connected by a suitable pipe with the carburcter of themotor, and being located so far in rear of the axis of the roller, itsweight tends to exert a lifting force on the frontpart of the machine ashereinafter described.

Between the forward extensions 3, 4a of the main frame is secured amower frame 50 comprising side plates connected by suitable. cross bars.The sides ofeach ot' the. plates are provided with upwardly extendingprojections terminating;- in lateral projections 51 which rest upon theadjacent extensions 3 or 4a, and the frame .'30 is rigidly secured tosaid extensions b v Isuitable screwsl or bolts engaging slots 52. insaid extensions, so that the frame 50 can be adjusted toward and fromt-he roller 1 for the purplose o f securing the desired adjustment of te weight, and also for .the purpose of tightening the chain which drivesthe rotary cutter. The forward end of the mower frame 5() is providedwith caster wheels 53 the shanks of which are pivotally mounted inblocks 54 adapted to slide vertically in guides provided at the forwardends of the side plates of the mower frame, said blocks being eachprovided with a rack on its front face engaged by a pinion 55 on a shaft56, extending across the frame 5 0 and journaled therein. The shaft. 56is provided with an operating arm 57 which is connected by a link or rod58 to one end of a lever 59 pivoted centrally atthe rear end of the sideplate 4 of the motor frame, and a second link 60 connects the other endof lever 59 with a hand lever 61, pivoted to the casting 4 adjacent tothe ring portion 62 of the rear extension 4, which is provided withlocking notches 64. The hand lever 6l is provided with a locking pawl 63and spring actuated releasing rod 65 in like manner as the hand lever31. By means of the hand lever 61 the shaft 56 can be rocked to raiseand lower the mower frame and fro-nt end of the motor frame and therebyregulate the height of cut and also lift the cutting devices well abovethe ground when desired, as in moving the machine fr om place to placewithout cutting, or when it is desired to use it as a roller merely.

The mot-or frame is provided with cutting mechanism consisting in thisinstance of a stationary knife 69 and with a rotary cutter 70, the shaft7l of which is provided with a sprocket wheel 72 connected by a chain 73with a sprocket 74 on the motor shaft 12, (or a shaft driven therefrom)and I prefer to provide a friction device between the motor and therotary cutter to prevent injury to the mechanism is case of the suddenstopping of the cutter. In this instance I have shown the motor shaftprovided with a positive clutchv member 75 (see Fig.3) movablelongitudinally of but turning with the shaft and operable by a clutchlever 76 into and out. of engagement with a clutch member 77 to which issecured a friction cone 78, engaging a female friction member 79 securedto the sprocket wheel 74, the friction members being held in engagementby a spring 80.

I also prefer to provide the machine with a grass catching device, soconstructed as to be readily detachable, and which in the embodiment ofthe invention here illustrated,

is constructed as follows: 81 represents ay metallic receptacle providedwith to p, bottom and front and rear walls, and having a hinged door 82at one or both ends. I have shown it provided wit-h a hinged door at.

each end so that the cut grass may be delivered at either side. Thereceptacle -is so constructed that it can be dropped between the forwardextensions 3, 4 of the main frame, and be supported in position byprojecting portions at each en d which rest upon the said extensions, towhich-the yreceptacle may be detachably secured in any desired manner.The front wall of the receptacle is provided with a receiving aperture83, and with inclined deflect'ors 84, 85 adjacent thereto for guidingthe cut grass from the rotary cutter into tho receptacle. 'Within thereceptacle is a transversely movable expelline' plate S6, mounted onsuitable transverse guides secured to the receptacle. In'this instancesaid plate is secured to sleeves 87 provided with ball bearings engagingcylindrical guide rods 88. Flexible connections S9, S9`are connected tothe plate 86 and extend in opposite directions therefrom around pulleys90, 90 mounted on the receptacle and thence to a drum 91 upon which theare reversely wound. The drum is mountedy on a shaft 92, in alinementwith a shaft 93 mounted on the motor frame, and said shafts areconnected by any desired form of readily detachable shaft coupling 94,which in this instance comprises two disks secured to the meeting endsof the shafts, the one disk provided with projections adapted to fitinto recesses in the other disk. By this means the grass box orreceptacle can be removed very readily from the machine if desired. Theshaft 93 isV provided with a beveled friction wheel 95 and .the engineshaft is provided with a longitudinally movable sleeve 96 keyed thereto,,carrying two lnounted bevel friction wheels 97, 98, for engaging thewheel 95 when it is desired to move the expelling plate in eitherdirection. 99 represents a shiftin lever pivoted to the motor frame,connecte to said sleeve 96 at one end, and having its other endextending rearward to a point within easy reach of the operator. Bythrowing said lever in one direction or the other, it is obvious thatthe expelling plate can be caused to move in either direction from oneend of the receptacle to the other, and the cut grass will be expelledwith considerable force, one of the swinging doors opening by thepressure of the cut grass on the side toward which the expelling plateis moved. Any suitable means may be provided to hold the lever 99normally 1n its median position for example, a spring latch 100` asshown in Fig. 3.

When the machine is operated, the torque of the motor in driving theroller 1 will produce a reaction upon the motor frame which tends tolift the front portion thereof. In practice I adjust the weight of themachine with respect to the axis of the roller, so that there iscomparatively little weight` upon the caster wheels 53 and when themachine is in operation the torque of the engine will tend to lift thefront of the machine so as to transfer .nearly all the weight of themachine to t-he roller' 1 and almost raise the' caster wheels from theground. By this means the caster Wheels are pre-Y vented from marking orindenting the lawn, which is a very desirable feature in 'motor lawnmowers,.and the weight being so nearly balanced over the axle of theroller 1, the operator can lift the caster wheels entirely from theground, by depressing the handles, if desiredas in turning the machine,or rolling soft ground o1' lawns or in rolling al flat surface like atennis court where .any impression of the caster wheels wouldbeobjectiona'ble. The caster wheels thus serve merelythe purpose ofregulating the height of cut, and to that end must be in light butpositive engagement with the ground when grass is being cut.

` The mower frame is readily detachable from the main frame by simplyremoving the screws which engage the slots 52, and if desired the mowerframe can be removed and a similar frame provided with a rota-ry brushin place of the rotary cutter, can be attached, and the brush operatedvby means of the chain .13, to sweep -the surface traversed if desired.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat-ent is 1. In a. motorlawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for receiving the cutgrass, of meansifor discharging the contents of said receptacle at a'single movement thereof, said means being normally out of operation,while the machine is in operation, lactuating devices for operating saiddischarging means, and restoring the Same to normal position, and meansfor connecting said actuating devices with a moving part of the machine.

2. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a receptaclefor the cutgrass, of an expelling device normally stationary during the operationof the machine for discharging the contents of said receptacle at asingle movement thereof, actuating devices for said expelling device andmeans for connecting said actuating devices with the motor of themachine.

In a motor'lawn mower, the combina.- tion with a receptacle for the cutgrass, provided with a discharge aperture, a movable closure for saidaperture, an expelling device normally stationary during the opera--tion of the machine for discharging the contents of said receptacle,actuating devices for moving said expelling device toward and from thesaid discharge aperture and closure, and means for throwing saidactuating devices into and out of engagement with the motor.

4. In a motor lawn mower, the combina-- tion with a receptacle for cutgrass, provided `with a discharge aperture and a hinged closure forlsaid aperture, anexpelling device normally stationary during theoperation of thel machine for discharg- Aing the contents of saidreceptacle, actuating devices for moving said expelling device towardand from said hinged closure, and means for Ithrowing said actuatingdevices into and out of operative connection with the motor.

5, In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for cutgrass, provided with a discharge aperture adjacent to one side of themachine, a movable closure for said discharge aperture, an vxpellingdevice normallyr stationary during the opera-tion of the machine in saidreceptacle movable transversely of the machine, to-ward and from thesaid discharge aperture, actuating devices for moving said expellingdevice in both directions transversely of the machine, and means forthrowing said actuating devices into and out of operative relation withthe motor.

6. In a lawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for cut grass,provided with a discharge aperture, of an expelling device normallystationary during the operation of the machine, located within saidreceptacle for discharging thel contents thereof by a single movementand actuating mechanism for moving said expelling device toward thedischarge aperture and restoring. it to its original position. f

7 In a lawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for cut grass,provided with af discharge aperture at one side of the machine, o anexpelling device normally stationary during the operation of themachine, movable transverselyr of the machine and actuating devices formoving said expelling devicein both directions transversely of themachine, toward and from said discharge aperture.

8. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for cutgrass provided with adischarge aperture adjacent to one side of themachine, expelling device normally stationary during the operation ofthe machine, located in said receptacle, stationary guides extendingtransversely of the machine for engaging and supporting said, expellingdevice, actuating devices for'moving said expelling device along saidguides in both directions and means for connecting the actuating deviceswith the motor.

9. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a receptacle for cutgrass provided with a discharge aperture adjacent to one side of themachine, expelling device normally stationary during the operation oftheV machine, located 1n said receptacle, guides extending transverselyof the machine for engaging and supporting said expelling device, awinding drum, flexible connections connected with said expelling deviceand reversely wound on said drinn, and driving means t'or said drum.

10. In a motor lawn mower, tbe combination with a receptacle 'l'or cutgrass provided with a discharge aperture adjacentI to one side of themachine, an expelling device normally stationary during the operationot' the machine, located in said receptacle, guides extendingtransversely ot the machine for engaging and supporting said expellingdevice, a winding drum. flexible connections connected with saidexpelling device and reversely wound on said drinn, frictional devicesfor driving said drum in both directions, and means` for throwing saidtrictional devices into and outl of operation.

11. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a cut grass receptacle.disposed transversely of tbe machine, and provided with a dischargeaperture adjacent to each side of the machine, of an expelling devicelocated in said receptacle. means for reciprocating said expellingdevice transversely of the machine to deliver the cut grass from eitherof said apertures, said expelling device being movable in a horizontaldirection only and means for throwing said reciprocating means into andout of engagement with the motor.

12. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a grass receptacledisposed transversely ot' the machine and provided with a dischargeaperture at one side of the maehine,a receptacle expelling devicecapable of movementfrom one end of said receptacle to the other, saidexpelling device being movable in a horizontal direction only andoperative connections from the motor to said expelling device.

13. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with a traction roller, amain frame carried thereby, a motor mounted on the main frame, a mowerframe rigidly secured to the main frame in advance of the said rollerand provided with ground engaging devices for maintaining a uniformheight. of cut, cutting mechanism carried by said mower frame,connections between the motor and said roller, connections between themotor and said cutting mechanism, a grass receptacle carried by saidmain frame in rear ofthe cutting mechanism disposed transversely of thesaid frame and having a delivery aperture at one end of the same, anexpelling device normally stationary during the operation of the machinein said receptacle, actuating mechanism for moving said expelling devicefrom either end of the receptacle to the other end thereof, and devicesfor throwing said actuating mechanism into and out of operative relationwith the motor.

14. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame connected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices' forregulating the height ot cnt, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connections from the motor to the said roller and to said cuttingmechanism, a detachable grass receptacle removably secured to the mainframe and provided with a discharge aperture, an expelling devicenormally stationary during the operation ot the machine in saidreceptacle for discharging the contents of said receptacle at a singlemovement and means for moving said expelling device toward the deliveryaperture and returning it to its normal position.

15. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame connected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices forregulating the height of cut, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connections from the motor to the said roller and to said cuttingmechanism, a detachable grass receptacle removably secured to the mainframe and provided with a discharge aperture, an expelling devicenormally stationary during t-he operation of the machine in saidreceptacle. for discharging the contents of said receptacle at a singleoperation thereof, connections between the motor and said expellingdevice, said connections being readily diseonnectible from the machineat some point between the motor and the expelling device to facilitatethe removal of the grass receptacle, and a hand operated controllingdevice for said connections.

16. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame connected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices forregulating the height of cut, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connections from the motor to the said roller and to said cuttingmechanism, a detachable grass receptacle removably secured to the mainframe and provided with a discharge aperture, an expelling devicenormally stationary during the operation of the machine in saidreceptacle, actuating mechanism, having a portion thereof mounted on theremovable receptacle, for operating the expelling device, said portionof the actuating device being readily disconnectible from the machine,and means for throwing said actuating mechanism into and. out ofoperative relation with the motor. I

17. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame connected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices forregulating the height of cut, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connec-V main frame and provided with a discharge aperture,expelling devlce normally stational-y during the operation of themachine 1n said receptacle, devices mounted en the removable receptaclefor o'peratlng said expelling device, detachable connections be-v tweensaid devices and a rot-ary part on the main frame, and means forthrowing Said rotary part on the main frame into and out of engagementwith the motor.

18. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame co-nnected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices forregulating the heightof cut, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connections from the motor to the said roller and to said cuttingmechanism, a detachable grass receptacle removably secured to the mainframe and provided with a discharge aperture, an expelling device duringthe operation of the machine in said receptacle, devices mounted on theremovable receptacle for operating the Said expelling device, frictiongearing mounted on the main frame for driving said devices in eitherdirection, a cont-rolling device for said friction gea-ring anddetachable connecting mechanism between said friction devices and thedevices mounted on said receptacle.

19. In al motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame, atraction roller connected therewith, a mower frame connected with themain frame and provided with rotary ground engaging devices forregulating the height of out, cutting mechanism carried by the mowerframe, connections from the motor to the said roller and to said cuttingmechanism, a detachable grass receptacle removably secured to the mainframe and provided with a discharge aperture, an expelling device duringthe operation of the machine in said receptacle, a winding drum mountedon said removable receptacle flexible connections from said drum to theexpelling device for moving it in both directions, devices for drivingsaid drum from the motor in either direction, and detachable connectionsbetween said -driving devices and the drum.

20. In a motor lawn mower, the combination with the main frame providedwith a traction roller, a mower fran'ie connected with themain frame andprovided with rotary ground' engaging devices for regulating the heightof cut and with cutting mechanism and driving mechanism therefor, of adetachable grass receptacle removably secured to the main frame andprovided with a discharge` aperture, an expelling device normallystationary during the operation of the machine, located in saidreceptacle, and movable toward and from the discharge aperture, awinding drum mounted on said receptacle, operatively connected with theexpelling device, an operating shaft for said drum` mounted on the mainframe in alinement with the axis of the drum and detachably connected tothe drum, reversible driving gearing normally out of operative position,for connecting the motor with said operating shaft for driving the saidshaft, and the drum in either direction and a cont-rolling device forsaid reversing mechanism.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM H. COLDVVE LL.

`Witnesses J. K. Moons, R. E. BARRY.

